Skip to main content

Cali.A

Classification

Category:

Malware

Type:

Worm

Aliases:

  • Cali.A
  • I-Worm.Neveg.b

Summary

The Cali worm was found on 10th of August 2004. It's a massmailer.

Removal

Technical Details

Cali is packed with Yoda and UPX. It's packed size is 51270 bytes. Once unpacked it grows up to 100KiB.

The executable was compiled with Microsoft's Visual C++ compiler with the stack protection option enabled. It's possible to appreciate in the code this feature, which protects the stack by placing a 'canary' value between the function's local variables and the return address. In this scenario if a buffer overflow would occur, it would be detected before the function returns, making the exploitation of an overflow a non trivial task.

The stack protection is enabled with the /GS option. More documentation on its implementation can be found from "Compiler Security Checks In Depth":

https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkid=7260

It's worth mentioning that some older worm could be taken over because of a buffer overflow in its networking code. It's interesting that malware writers are also paying attention to security related issues.

Once executed it creates a a mutex named:

"4D36E64A-W325-121E-BFC1-080C2BE11318"

in order to avoid being run more than once. And copies itself to:

%WinDir%\system\services.exe

A registry key will be set to point to the dropped file, the name of the key will be randomly chosen from:

BuildLab RegDone ccApps Microsoft Visual SourceSafe TEXTCONV FriendlyTypeName .Prog WMAudio

therefore, the registry key might look as follows:

[HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\] "WMAudio" = "%WinDir%\system\services.exe"

Where %WinDir% is the main Windows folder.

email spreading

When massmailing, it will attach itself with names such as:

office.exe notes.exe doom3demo.exe resume.exe files.exe request.exe info.exe details.exe result.exe results.exe install.exe setup.exe test.exe google.exe se_files.exe

Protect your devices from malware with F‑Secure Total

Protecting your devices from malicious software is essential for maintaining online security. F‑Secure Total makes this easy, helping you to secure your devices in a brilliantly simple way.

  • Award‑winning antivirus and malware protection

  • Online browsing, banking, and shopping protection

  • 24/7 online identity and data breach monitoring

  • Unlimited VPN service to safe­guard your privacy

  • Password manager with private data protection

Choose how many devices you want to protect to get started.

  • Free customer support

  • Cancel anytime

  • The trial does not obligate you to buy the product

After 30 days your subscription will renew automatically for one year at €69.99.

More Support

Community

Ask questions in our Community.

User guides

Check the user guide for instructions.

Contact Support

Chat with with or call an agent.

Submit a Sample

Submit a file or URL for analysis.